Last weekend, I was privileged to attend the 2018 Bridgeport High School Alumni & Friends Foundation Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner.

 

The Oct. 20 occasion was emceed by Chuck Steele, who did a top-notch job making introductions and welcoming the couple hundred attendees who gathered. Held at Bridgeport Conference Center, the dinner was happening simultaneously with the grand re-opening of the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center featuring comedian Jay Leno. Steele, who had his own reserve of jokes, pointed out that in years to come, he will remember the dinner as the night folks came to see him, rather than Leno. He even worked the crowd, pointing out individuals who have been instrumental in the financial success of the foundation, which annually provides a number of scholarships to graduating BHS seniors. 

 

Inducted this year were Laura Stevens Aliff (Class of 1978), Jane Conley Riley (Class of 1967), Alan Dye (Class of 1985) and the late Norman Tolley, a former BHS principal. Tolley’s daughter, Aliff and Riley all shared heartfelt appreciation and touching stories, each indicating they were humbled by the honor. Each was well deserved; these individuals giving of themselves and putting the needs of others before their own.

 

I enjoyed listening to them all. Introduced by her daughters Natalie Foley and Stacie Aliff, Laura holds a special place in my heart as we went to school, graduated and marched on the BHS frontline together. Jane Riley was one of my oldest daughter’s BHS cheer coaches. Her younger siblings are closer to my age and we’ve been affiliated through school and church. Mr. Tolley was before my time at BHS, but Tom Mace, who was a student at BHS during Tolley’s tenure - and who has been an avid supporter of the foundation - shared some great stories.

 

My connection with Alan Dye started when, back in the early 2000s, I did marketing for United Way of Harrison County and he, on behalf of WDTV, annually created the promo video. I remember how passionate he was about making that video. As years have played out, I’ve seen Alan put that same heart and soul into countless community projects.  

 

When he took the podium last Saturday night, you could hear a pin drop. He explained why this community of windmills and tulips are so very important to him. Let me explain. Alan, who was supported by a large group of his BHS classmates - who not only traveled from all over the country, but surprised him with their presence – described to the crowd what it is like to raise a child with special needs. He was speaking of his son Nathan, a 2007 graduate of BHS, who went on to attend Marshall University’s Autism Training Center. Sitting at the table with several family members, Nathan is a notably happy individual. Every time his name was mentioned, he offered a wave to his dad and the audience.

 

Alan compared their journey with autism to taking an actual trip. Imagine, he said, that you were preparing for a trip to Italy, a place you knew would be exciting, beautiful and memorable. You packed your bags. You mentally and physically prepared. You even learned a few phrases in the Italian language to enhance the experience. All your friends would be there and share a common ground.

 

However, when it’s time to go, you find out, instead, that you are landing in Holland, a place quite different than what you had planned. Your friends talk about their experiences in Italy. As you listen, you think, “Yes. That’s where I was supposed to go.”

 

But instead of wishing your life away longing for Italy, you embrace Holland. Perhaps it’s not as flashy and exciting as Italy, but it holds true beauty. Everywhere you look, there are windmills and beautiful, colorful tulips. Our supportive community represents those windmills and the students of BHS, who embraced Nathan and always included him, are those tulips. They continue to pop up everywhere, making Holland perhaps even a more beautiful place than Italy. Alan indicated that he, his wife Lori, his stepdaughters, his dad and other family members – and, of course, Nathan – are blessed to be just where they are.

 

And Bridgeport is blessed to have Alan Dye, as well as the other inductees – this year and in the past – in its midst.

 

Read more about Dye HERE. 

 

Read about Aliff HERE. 

 

Read about Riley HERE.

 

Read about Tolley HERE.